Device for splicing traces



4 J. E. CURB.

Device for Splicing Traoe.

No.22e,496. ParentedApril13,18so..

N PETERS, PHDTD-LUHOGRAPHER, wASHmGTOm D c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCEQ,

JOSEPH E. OURD, OF CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR sPLlClNG TRACES.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent No. 226,496, dated A'prl 13, 1880. Application lcd February 2, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH E. OURD, of Charleston, Goles county, State of Illinois, have invented an Improved Device forv Splicing Traces, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a splice intended to facilitate the repair of broken traces.

In the accompanyingdrawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved trace-splice. Fig. 2 is asection, showing the same connected to one end of a broken trace; Fig. 3, an external view of a tracerepaired by means of the splice.

As is well known, the repairing of a broken trace by means of external strips of leather sewed thereon, or of plates riveted to the outside, is not only tedious and expensive, but results in a clumsy joint, presenting an unsightly appearance, and, when metal is used, injurious to the animal and to the vehicle.

My improved splice is a thin metal blade, A, sharpened or rounded at the edges, with pointed ends a and openings e. This plate is of such a width that it may be inserted between the leathers B B of 011e end of the broken harness, and there secured by rivets i, the other'end projecting, as shown in Fig. 2, when the other end of the trace may be slipped upon the saine and fastened by rivets, as shown in Fig. 3. By this means the trace is rendered stronger than before, its thickness is not materially increased, While the outside appearance is in no wise impaired.

To effect the repair when the trace breaks at a buckle-hole I provide the plate with one or more openings, s, which may be brought to coincide with the holes in the trace before riveting.

I am aware that traces have been mended by sewing strips of leather across the pointwhere the trace was broken; but this can only be done by a skillful workman with proper appliances, whereas the blade above described, owing to its pointed ends, may be readily inserted in the space vbetween the leather sides, cross-holes cut with a knife or anyother pointed implement, and bolts or rivets inserted without detaching the horse, and at any point on the road, by any one capable of perforatin g the leather. When thus inserted 'the strength of the trace is in no wise diminished, while there are no protuberances to rub against the body of the animal.

I claim- The within described splice for mendin g harness, consisting of a thin metallic blade, pointed at both ends, perforated, and adapted to tit between the leathers of the band and to be secured thereto by bolts or rivets, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J. E. oURD. 

